You may note, all the fish in the picture are heading in one direction, except for the little guy veering away. In general, schools of fish swim as one body. Whatever possessed the one fish to do something different?During the times we are living in, it is an excellent thing to seek out our own kind, those that share the same "growing edge" of perception that we do. There is power in numbers and the collective is where the greatest amount of transformation can occur for the planet as a whole. Even so, every so often, you will find you need to step aside and follow an inner prompting that is not, strictly speaking, in keeping with the group. What does such a choice amount to, in the bigger scheme? I would suggest, a couple of things. One is, we are each unique individuals, and sometimes, the uniqueness can get lost in the affinity (the a "fin" ity!) we have with our brothers and sisters. To support this uniqueness, we need to break ranks for a bit. We can then rejoin, renewed and fortified in the truth of our being. Another piece is that the one who cuts away from the group can come upon a very significant and/or important piece of awareness and can return and share it such that all benefit. Even the best of collective energies can stand to be refreshed in such a manner.I ask myself why bring this notion up now. I think it is because there are some very strong currents out there regarding what is going on here on this amazing planet at this time. When advised to go with the flow, the question becomes "which flow?" I think the answer is . . "your own." Sometimes you cannot always tell what that flow is until you separate for a short time (or longer if you need it). The power of and need for bonding one with another is potent indeed and, among other things, increases the strength of our immune systems and gives us the ability to deeply relax. Lynn McTaggert's work shows us about just how powerful our ties to each other are. I bow in gratitude for her work. And . . . the fish that turned left is doing something very important for the whole, potentially. Years ago, a book Jonathan Livingston Seagull became a runaway best seller. It was the story of a seagull that left the group and gained great wisdom that serves the very ones he left. Similar kind of thing. I have in other places pointed out an observation about dolphins I have had that they seem to have mastered the ability to be pod members and retain their individuality at the same time like no where else in nature that I have observed. I don't think humans are that good at doing these two things simulaneously yet, so, until we master that, maybe a little veering off here and there is a good thing. Just saying! And re-unions are so much fun!